2017 Stanley Cup Finals Preview

16 teams entered the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs, and just 2 remain with the Eastern Conference Champion (and defending Stanley Cup) Pittsburgh Penguins vs. the Western Conference Champion Nashville Predators. Here's a look at how the two teams got here:

Playoff Matchups to Date:

Eastern Conference:
#1 Washington Capitals defeat WC #2 Toronto Maple Leafs (4-2)
#2 Pittsburgh Penguins defeat #3 Columbus Blue Jackets (4-1)
WC #1 New York Rangers defeat #1 Montreal Canadiens (4-2)
#2 Ottawa Senators defeat #3 Boston Bruins (4-2)

#2 Pittsburgh Penguins defeat #1 Washington Capitals (4-3)
#2 Ottawa Senators defeat WC #1 New York Rangers (4-2)

#2 Pittsburgh Penguins defeat #2 Ottawa Senators (4-3)

Western Conference:
WC #2 Nashville Predators defeat #1 Chicago Blackhawks (4-0)
#3 St. Louis Blues defeat #2 Minnesota Wild (4-1)
#1 Anaheim Ducks defeat WC #1 Calgary Flames (4-0)
#2 Edmonton Oilers defeat #3 San Jose Sharks (4-2)

#1 Anaheim Ducks defeat #2 Edmonton Oilers (4-3)
WC #2 Nashville Predators defeat #3 St. Louis Blues (4-2)

WC #2 Nashville Predators defeat #1 Anaheim Ducks (4-2)

#2 Pittsburgh Penguins vs. WC #2 Nashville Predators

Season Series: Season series tied 1-1-0

Saturday October 22, 2016: Nashville Predators 5, Pittsburgh Penguins 1

January 31, 2017: Pittsburgh Penguins 4, Nashville Predators 2

Players to Watch:

Pittsburgh: Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Matt Murray, Phil Kessel, Conor Sheary, Scott Wilson

Nashville: PK Subban, Filip Forsberg, Pekka Rinne, Roman Josi, Ryan Ellis, James Neal

X-Factor:

Pittsburgh: Sidney Crosby

Nashville: Pekka Rinne

Playoff Leaders:

Goals: Jake Guentzel (PIT) - 9, Filip Forsberg (NSH) - 8
Assists: Evgeni Malkin (PIT) - 17, Ryan Johansen (NSH) - 10
Points: Evgeni Malkin (PIT) - 24, Filip Forsberg (NSH) - 15
Wins: Pekka Rinne (NSH) - 12, Marc-Andre Fleury (PIT) - 9
Goals Against Average: Matt Murray (PIT) - 1.35, Pekka Rinne (NSH) - 1.70
Save Percentage: Matt Murray (PIT) - .946%, Pekka Rinne (NSH) - .941%

OT Goals: Jake Guentzel/Chris Kunitz (PIT) - 1, Kevin Fiala/James Neal (NSH)

Prediction: This series has the hype to be one of the best Stanley Cup Finals in recent years, with the high-powered offense of the Penguins going up against the Predators stifling defense. While it seems this series is extremely close and has the potential to go either way, I think the Penguins are going to become the first team since the Red Wings (1997/1997) to win back-to-back Stanley Cups.

(PENGUINS IN 7)

Enjoy the Stanley Cup Finals!

Joel Forman